waysoftheearth wrote: I think I am hearing that we will have two scouting parties, one ahead of the main column, and one on the eastern side (between the column and the Misty Mountains -- probably, therefore, on the east side of the Sirranon?)

Might I say at this point, that while the Elves are swift of foot, those mounted upon horse-back are swifter yet.

It would seem likely then to have the horse riders forming one party, the remaining elves forming another, and all other in the main column.

For the main column we have the Dwarves marching up front (most of whom are not the fighting sort). Who will come next?

There are still fighting men, retainers, pack animals and scholarly sorts to arrange.

waysoftheearth wrote:I think I am hearing that we will have two scouting parties, one ahead of the main column, and one on the eastern side (between the column and the Misty Mountains -- probably, therefore, on the east side of the Sirranon?)

Ah! We have a river between us and the mountains! (Sorry - I do not have access to a good map of the region). Do you all think that having a group on the other side of the river is a good/bad idea?

waysoftheearth wrote:For the main column we have the Dwarves marching up front (most of whom are not the fighting sort). Who will come next?

There are still fighting men, retainers, pack animals and scholarly sorts to arrange.

waysoftheearth wrote: The great expedition sets out from Edhil, marching steadily north-east along the western side of the Sirannon River, ever into the shadow of the Misty Mountains that loom before them.

Behind the riders, a band of the fleet footed come next. These are Lmluin the Elvish bard, Legndir the Half-Elvish ranger, and Elindir the Half-Elvish bard. All set off apace, running lightly ahead of the main column, keeping an eagle eye upon the road for any sign of trouble.

Then comes the main column, headed by a throng of marching Dwarves, the the pack animals and least hardy, followed by a stout van of hard nosed fighting Men.

Lady Â‰ohild's Man, a woodsman of southern Mirkwood known as Barald the Old Boar, has the very last. He comes with measured stride, casting his knowing gaze often to the settling dust behind...

waysoftheearth wrote: The spring time makes fair weather for marching, and the company makes good time.

The Elves on foot bring frequent tidings that the way ahead is all clear, before returning to their scouting mission.

The Dwarves sing songs of old as they march, their spirits soaring as they march toward their ancestral home-lands. Here is the song of Durin's Awakening which they sing in their deep baritone voices, among other songs of their folk:

The world world was young, the mountains green,No stain yet on the Moon was seen,No words were laid on stream or stone,When Durin woke and walked alone.He named the nameless hills and dells;He drank from yet untasted wells;He stooped and looked in Mirrormere,And saw a crown of stars appear,As gems upon a silver thread,Above the shadow of his head.

The world was fair, the mountains tall,In Elder Days before the fallOf mighty Kings in NargothrondAnd Gondolin, who now beyondThe Western Seas have passed away:The world was fair in Durin's Day.

A king he was on carven throneIn many-pillared halls of stoneWith golden roof and silver floor,And runes of power upon the door.The light of sun and star and moonIn shining lamps of crystal hewnUndimmed by cloud or shade of nightThere shown forever far and bright.

There hammer on the anvil smote,There chisel clove, and graver wrote;There forged was bladed and bound was hilt;The delver mined the mason built.There beryl, pearl, and opal paleAnd metel wrought like fishes' mail,Buckler and corslet, axe and sword,And shining spears were laid in horde.

Unwearied then were Durin's folk;Beneath the mountains music woke:The harpers harped, the minstrels sang,And at the gates the trumpets rang.

The world is grey, the mountains old,The forge's fire is ashen-cold;No harp is wrung, no hammer falls:The darkness dwells in Durin's halls;The shadow lies upon his tombIn Moria, in Khazad-dm.But still the sunken stars appearIn dark and windless Mirrormere;There lies his crown in water deep,Till Durin wakes again from sleep.

Shortly before midday, Dernfara, Eohild and Eremin ride back to the column, just as it is preparing to break for a meal.

They report that the Sirannon flows quick and steady, and no safe ford can be found, for the opposite bank is mostly steep and rocky as it rises into the feet of the Misty Mountains.

After food and water is taken, packs are stowed and the march toward the mountains continues...

waysoftheearth wrote: After luncheon, the horsemen ride out again, this time circling west of the company in order to skirt a wide perimeter in the now rugged and undulating lands that by tomorrow will break into crags, and then rise into mountains proper.

The Elvish company once more scouts the ancient road ahead as the great column clatters into movement. The voices of the Men and Dwarves are quieter now as the rhythm of the march settles over the expedition.

During the afternoon the Elves report signs that this is not the only great company afoot in these parts; tracks of many booted feet -- probably columns of troops -- are found several times across the land. Indications are that these might be a fell soldiery -- a discarded belt buckle here, a worn out hob nail boot there. These things are all of Orcish make; hard and dull, and without beauty.

Despite these marks, no Orc or Man is seen upon the land, and the day's march goes on until the less sturdy members are foot sore from their exertions, and the sun begins to sink in the east. A large camp is set for the evening, and an ample night watch is set over a bold fire so that no beast of the night might dare approach.

Morning comes, and the march continues steadily into the foot hills now, and the way ahead becomes steadily steeper, and rockier.

The horsemen are less able to cover wide distances now in the challenging terrain, and the forward scouts report that the road only grows rockier and steeper ahead. All can plainly see that they are climbing into a mighty wall of mountains, and that they way ahead will be challenging, to say the least.